Dynamic muting audio transducer control for wearable personal communication nodes

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, software and apparatus that enable dynamic audio transducer control include obtaining attribute information relating to multiple communication nodes that are communication node group members. A group management system or other computing system receives attribute information from two or more of the communication nodes and determines settings for one or more audio transducers (e.g., speakers and microphones) in the group&#39;s communication nodes based on the attribute information. An audio transducer command is transmitted to or imposed on one or more of the nodes. Attribute information can include node attributes and/or changes to attributes. Audio transducer commands transmitted or otherwise imposed on nodes can include muting and unmuting commands, as well as setting volume levels and other audio settings associated with a node&#39;s operation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/157,543, filed on May 18, 2016, entitled “DYNAMIC MUTING AUDIOTRANSDUCER CONTROL FOR WEARABLE PERSONAL COMMUNICATION NODES,” whichclaims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/163,731, entitled “DYNAMIC MUTING FOR WEARABLEPERSONAL COMMUNICATION NODES,” filed May 19, 2015. Each patentapplication identified above (including any appendices thereto) isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the disclosure are related to communications and, inparticular, to establishing, managing and maintaining communicationgroups based on attributes.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Telephones, computers, and tablets provide an efficient way for users indifferent physical locations to communicate with one another. However,such devices often require the user to actively monitor conditions andto provide multiple inputs and preferences, including device-relatedaudio transducer settings, for each of the communications before thecommunications can take place. Such audio transducer settings may bebased on factors and conditions that are difficult, inconvenient,impractical or impossible for a user to actively monitor and adjustwhile actively communicating with member nodes in the group. Preferencesmay include the individuals involved in the communication group andcontact identifiers for such individuals, among other preferences.Moreover, when busy performing other tasks and/or engaging incommunications, it is often difficult to adjust the volume and/or otheraudio transducer settings in changing environments while physicallyholding a telephone, computer, or tablet, and distracts from the primarytask.

OVERVIEW

Implementations of dynamic audio transducer control include obtaining(e.g., monitoring, collecting or receiving) attribute informationrelating to a plurality of communication nodes that are members of adefined communication node group. A group management system or othercomputing system receives attribute information from two or more of thecommunication nodes. Audio transducer settings for at least one of thecommunication nodes are determined based on the attribute information.An audio transducer command is then transmitted to or otherwise imposedon one or more of the communication nodes. The attribute information caninclude attributes and/or changes to attributes of the communicationnodes, such as node location, noise level in a current environment,pre-determined noise level user preference(s), node proximity to othernodes, communication status, headphone or earpiece jack use, identity,and traveling speed. Audio transducers can include communication nodespeakers and microphones and commands transmitted or otherwise imposedon nodes can include muting and unmuting commands, as well as settingvolume levels and other audio settings associated with a node'soperation.

Implementations can be used to adjust audio transducer activation anddeactivation based on changing group membership and locations during anongoing communication session. Moreover, implementations can protectsecure communications from inadvertent, accidental and other unwanteddisclosure of communication content.

This Overview is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the TechnicalDisclosure. It may be understood that this Overview is not intended toidentify or emphasize key features or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system and operation of dynamic audio transducercontrol across personal communication nodes.

FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary systems for personal communication nodes.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system for dynamic audio transducer control acrosspersonal communication nodes and/or a management system.

FIG. 4A illustrates operation of dynamic audio transducer control acrosspersonal communication nodes.

FIG. 4B illustrates operation of dynamic audio transducer control acrosspersonal communication nodes.

FIG. 5 illustrates dynamic audio transducer control across personalcommunication nodes operating in secured and unsecured communicationgroups.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates system 100 for dynamic audio transducer control(e.g., muting, unmuting, volume adjustment, and/or adjusting anotheraudio transducer setting) across personal communication nodes 102-106.Dynamic audio transducer control such as dynamic muting automaticallyadjusts the audio transducer levels of personal communication nodes102-106 without the need for user input. Audio transducers compriseaudio input devices (capable of collecting and transmitting sound) andaudio output devices (capable of broadcasting audio), such as speakers,microphones and other similar devices. Personal communication nodes102-106 are able to independently adjust microphone and speaker muting.Audio transducers, as used herein, may interchangeably refer to one ormore of an audio input device, such as a microphone, and/or an audiooutput device, such as a speaker.

In one non-limiting example of dynamic audio transducer control such asmuting of personal communication nodes 102-106, audio transducers ofpersonal communication nodes 102-106 autonomously and dynamically mutetheir audio transducers when two or more personal communication nodesare in close enough proximity that end users of the nearby nodes arewithin audible range of one another. Personal communication nodes102-106 typically operate in groups, such as exemplary Group A 150 andGroup B 151, which are dynamically defined and updated by managementsystem 120 based on attributes communicated to management system 120from personal communication nodes 102-106. Each of groups 150-151comprises a nexus of specified personal communication nodes 102-106 forinteractive communications, information sharing, data exchange, andother mutual exchange.

Personal communication nodes 102-106 may each comprise transceivers,audio transducers, processing systems, communication interfaces,environmental sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, Global PositioningSystem (GPS) receivers, user interfaces and other systems to detectand/or collect various attributes and to communicate with managementsystem 120 and other personal communication nodes. Management system 120may comprise a server system comprising one or more computing devicescapable of managing services to a plurality of personal communicationnodes, such as personal communication nodes 102-106. Management system120 is capable of operating over one or more computing devices.

Personal communication nodes 102-106 communicate with each other or withother personal communication nodes over one or more of associated links144-145. Personal communication nodes 102-106 can also communicate withmanagement system 120 over associated ones of links 141-143. Managementservice system 120 communicates and personal communication nodescommunication via link 140, which can comprise one or more network linksin this example. Links 140-143 connect personal communication nodes102-106 to management system 120 using Long Term Evolution (LTE), (GSM),CDMA, IEEE 802.11 WiFi, Bluetooth, Personal Area Networks (PANs), WideArea Networks, (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), Wireless Local AreaNetworks (WLANS), Internet Protocol (IP), Ethernet, synchronous opticalnetworking (SONET), hybrid fiber-coax (HFC), Time Division Multiplex(TDM), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), circuit-switched, communicationsignaling, wireless communications, or some other communication format,including improvements thereof.

Communication links 144-145 connect personal communication nodes 102 and104 and personal communication nodes 104 and 106, respectively, usingBluetooth, IEEE 802.11 WiFi, infrared, ultrasonic or any communicationformat including improvements thereof. Communication links 140-145 eachuse metal, glass, optical, air, space, or some other material as thetransport media. Communication links 140-145 may each be a direct link,or may include intermediate networks, systems, or devices, and mayinclude a logical network link transported over multiple physical links.

In FIG. 1, each personal communication node 102-106 obtains (e.g.,monitors and/or collects) one or more attributes from associated audiotransducers, GPS receivers, accelerometers, transceivers, sensors, orother devices capable of measuring, calculating, collecting, monitoring,etc. the attributes discussed herein. These attributes comprise any dataor other information that may be used for dynamic audio transducercontrol such as muting, unmuting and other audio transducer settingscontrol across personal communication nodes 102-106. For example, thenoise level (volume) present in an environment, pre-determined noiselevel (volume) preference of a user, proximity of one personalcommunication node 102-106 to another, location, communication status,identity, and traveling speed are non-limiting examples of attributes ofpersonal communication nodes 102-106 that may be used for dynamic mutingacross personal communication nodes 102-106.

Personal communication nodes 102-106 periodically send messages tomanagement system 120 (e.g., by transferring such messages for deliveryto system 120) indicating attribute changes (e.g., at least dynamicchanges). Personal communication nodes 102-106 may send a message tomanagement system 120 whenever an attribute changes and/or at periodicintervals. Management system 120 uses attribute changes to create,modify and/or disband groups of personal communication nodes 102-106 andfor dynamic audio transducer control (e.g., muting, unmuting, volumeadjustment, and/or adjusting another audio transducer setting) acrosspersonal communication nodes 102-106.

In the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, management system 120 forms GroupA 150 to include personal communication nodes 102 and 104 based onAttribute Set 1. Personal communication nodes 102 and 104 communicatewith each other either via links 141 and 142 and/or via link 144.Management system 120 determines that personal communication nodes 102and 104 of Group A 150 are outside audible range (i.e., the nodes' usersare not close enough for normal conversational communication) based onAttribute Set 1 and the audio transducers of personal communicationnodes 102 and 104 are automatically adjusted to desirable levels (e.g.,depending upon environmental noise and/or other conditions).

Based on Attribute Set 2, which represents updated attributes and/orchanges to one or more attributes in Attribute Set 1 in the non-limitingexample of FIG. 1, management system 120 forms Group B 151, whichincludes personal communication nodes 104 and 106. Personalcommunication nodes 104 and 106 communicate with each other either vialinks 142 and 143 and/or via link 145. Personal communication node 104is a member of both preceding Group A 105 and subsequent Group B 151. Inthe non-limiting example of FIG. 1, Attribute Set 2 indicates that theusers of nodes 104 and 106 of Group B 151 are within conversational(audible) range of one another, so management system 120 transfers anaudio transducer command 136 to mute personal communication devices 104and 106 by disabling their respective audio transducers. Inimplementations where communication nodes monitor and determine audiotransducer settings within a node group, audio transducer commands canbe sent directly between nodes (e.g., as seen with regard to command(s)138 of FIG. 1) and/or can be self-imposed (e.g., as seen with regard tocommand(s) 139 of FIG. 1).

During operation, any of personal communication nodes 102-106 can detectchanges in one or more attributes and transfer messages for delivery tomanagement system 120 indicating such changes (e.g., at least dynamicchanges in the one or more attributes). Management system 120 modifiesthe group membership status of personal communication nodes 102-106 anddynamic audio transducer control (e.g., muting, unmuting, volumeadjustment, and/or adjusting another audio transducer setting) acrosspersonal communication devices 102-106 using such attribute changeinformation (e.g., at least the dynamic changes in one or moreattributes).

In an alternative non-limiting example of FIG. 1, for example wherenodes 104 and 106 communicate directly with one another using link 145,the communication nodes 104, 106 may share attribute information withone another. When one or both of communication nodes 104, 106 determine(based on attribute information received from the other communicationnode) that they are with audible range, then one or both of thecommunication nodes 104, 106 can send an audio transducer command to theother communication node to instruct it to mute one or more audiotransducers. The attribute information and commands shared in such adirect exchange between personal communication nodes can also be sharedwith management system 120 so that its information about Group B 151 isup to date and so that management system 120 itself can issue audiotransducer and/or other commands and messages relating to Group B 151.

To further illustrate exemplary implementations for dynamic audiotransducer control (e.g., muting, unmuting, volume adjustment, and/oradjusting another audio transducer setting) across personalcommunication nodes and configurations of the personal communicationnodes of FIG. 1, node 201 of FIG. 2 is presented (node 201 may representone of the communication nodes 102-106 of FIG. 1 or another alternatecommunication node implementation). A first non-limiting example(Example 1) illustrates a personal communication node 201A comprising aseparate end user device that communicates with other group members viaan intermediate communication device (e.g., a wireless communicationdevice) In some implementations, the end user device can be a personal(e.g., wearable) electronic device that communicates through anintermediate communication device such as a smartphone, tablet, laptopor other computing system or device.

A second non-limiting example (Example 2) illustrates a personalcommunication node 201B that does not employ multiple distinct devices,but instead utilizes a single wireless communication device, such as apersonal communication node that contains and includes all necessarywireless communication interfaces and processing resources, among otherfeatures. Furthermore, software 208 usable in these and other examplescan comprise a virtual machine that is executed on a computing device,including virtual devices or software executed by a virtualizedprocessing system or virtualized computing system. It should beunderstood that features and functions of management system 120 of FIG.1 can be included in the non-limiting examples of FIG. 2, along withfeatures and functions of the personal communication nodes.

As noted, FIG. 2 illustrates two non-limiting exemplary systems 200 forpersonal communication nodes, such as personal communication node 201.Personal communication node 201 can be an example of personalcommunication nodes 102-106; however, personal communication node 201may have alternative configurations and methods of operation. Example 1comprises node 201A, which includes intermediate wireless communicationdevice 205 and end user device 214. Intermediate communication device205 may be a wireless device that comprises a smartphone, tablet device,computer, gaming device, laptop computer, or some other communicationdevice capable of communicating using packet networks or some othercommunication network. Example 2 illustrates personal communication nodesoftware within an operating environment of an electronic device,wherein the electronic device may comprise a smartphone, tablet device,computer, gaming device, laptop computer, or some other communicationdevice capable of communicating using packet networks or some othercommunication network, running a personal communication node softwareapplication that comprises personal communication node 201.

In the illustrated Example 1, node 201A further comprises processingsystem 202 and communication interface system 210. Processing system 202further comprises processing circuitry 204 and storage system 206.Processing circuitry 204 comprises microprocessors and other circuitrythat retrieves and executes software 208 from storage system 206.Processing circuitry 204 may be embedded in various types of equipmentand may comprise a single device or could be distributed across multipledevices—including devices in different geographic areas.

Storage system 206 comprises a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, such as a disk drive, flash drive, data storage circuitry, orsome other hardware memory apparatus. Storage system 206 may comprise asingle device or could be distributed across multiple devices—includingdevices in different geographic areas. Storage system 206 may beembedded in various types of equipment. In some examples, a computerapparatus and/or computing system could comprise processing circuitry204, storage system 206 and software 208. Software 208 comprisesattributes module 220 and audio transducer control module 222, which maybe part of or supplemental to communication software that enables groupmembers' communication with one another. In addition, software 208 mayinclude operating systems, utilities, drivers, network interfaces,applications, or some other type of software.

Attributes module 200 obtains (e.g., monitors, collects and/or stores)one or more attributes of personal communication node 201A andperiodically transfers a message for delivery to a management system,where the message includes attribute information (e.g., regardingchanges in the one or more attributes, and/or providing at least dynamicchanges). Personal communication node 201A may comprise attributesensors such as transceivers, speakers, microphones, processing systems,communication interfaces, environmental sensors, accelerometers,gyroscopes, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, user interfacesand other systems to monitor various attributes and providecommunications to a management system (e.g., management system 120 ofFIG. 1). Attributes module 220 may monitor attribute sensors (e.g.,periodically or continuously) or attribute sensors may send an interruptto attributes module 200 when a change is detected. Audio transducercontrol module 222 receives audio transducer commands transferred by amanagement system or the like (or, in some implementations, commandsfrom other nodes or commands that are self-imposed), and enables,adjusts or disables one or more audio transducers of personalcommunication node 201A based at least on attributes monitored bypersonal communication node 201A.

Communication interface system 210 further comprises transceiver 212 forcommunicating with device 214. Transceiver 212 comprises communicationcomponents, such as ports, signal processing circuitry, memory,software, and the like. Transceiver 212 communicates with device 214over a link that may comprise a Bluetooth communication link, WiFi link,infrared, ultrasonic or any other communication link between personalcommunication node 201A and device 214.

In the illustrated Example 2, node 201B may comprise a processing systemfurther comprising processing circuitry and a storage system. Processingcircuitry may comprise microprocessors and other circuitry thatretrieves and executes software 208. Processing circuitry may comprise asingle device or could be distributed across multiple devices—includingdevices in different geographic areas. Processing circuitry may beembedded in various types of equipment. Node 201B may also comprise astorage system further comprising a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium, such as a disk drive, flash drive, data storagecircuitry, or some other hardware memory apparatus. The storage systemmay comprise a single device or be distributed across multipledevices—including devices in different geographic areas. The storagesystem may be embedded in various types of equipment.

Node 201B further comprises software 208 including attributes module 220and audio transducer control module 222, which may be part of orsupplemental to communication software that enables group members'communication with one another. In addition, software 208 may includeoperating systems, utilities, drivers, network interfaces, applications,or some other type of software. Attributes module 220 monitors one ormore attributes of personal communication node 201B and periodicallytransfers a message for delivery to a management system (e.g.,indicating at least dynamic changes in the one or more attributes).Audio transducer control module 222 receives audio transducer controlcommands transferred by the management system, and enables, adjusts ordisables the audio transducers of personal communication node 201B basedat least on attributes obtained (e.g., monitored and/or collected) bynode 201B. Speakers and microphones may be muted, adjusted, etc.separately in some implementations.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system for dynamic audio transducer control (e.g.,muting, unmuting, volume adjustment) across personal communication nodesor a management system. Referring to FIG. 3, computing system 301 isgenerally intended to represent one or more computing systems on whichsoftware 308 may be deployed and executed in order to implementattributes module 320 and audio transducer control module 322 to operateas a personal communication node or a management system. In thenon-limiting exemplary system 301 of FIG. 3, software 308 and any othersoftware usable to implement dynamic audio transducer control (e.g.,muting, unmuting, volume adjustment) as described herein can be storedin storage system 303, which is part of processing system 302, thoughother configurations can be used. Moreover, computing system 301 mayalso be suitable as any computing system on which software 308 may bestaged and from where one or both may be distributed, transported,downloaded, or otherwise provided to yet another computing system fordeployment and execution, or yet additional distribution.

Communication interface system 307 may include communication connectionsand devices that allow for communication with other computing systemsover a communication network. Examples of connections and devices thattogether allow for inter-system communication may include networkinterface cards, antennas, power amplifiers, RF circuitry, transceivers,and other communication circuitry. The connections and devices maycommunicate over communication media to exchange communications withother computing systems or networks of systems, such as metal, glass,air, or any other suitable communication media. The aforementionedmedia, connections, and devices are well known and need not be discussedat length here.

User interface system 309 is optional and may include a keyboard, amouse, a voice input device, a touch input device for receiving a touchgesture from a user, a motion input device for detecting non-touchgestures and other motions by a user, and other comparable input devicesand associated processing elements capable of receiving user input froma user. Output devices such as a display, speakers, haptic devices, andother types of output devices may also be included in user interfacesystem 309. In some cases, the input and output devices may be combinedin a single device, such as a display capable of displaying images andreceiving touch gestures. The aforementioned user input and outputdevices are well known in the art and need not be discussed at lengthhere.

User interface system 309 may also include associated user interfacesoftware executable by processing system 302 in support of the varioususer input and output devices discussed above. Separately or inconjunction with each other and other hardware and software elements,the user interface software and user interface devices may support agraphical user interface, a natural user interface, or any other type ofuser interface. In addition, user input made with respect to the userinterfaces may be input via user interface system 309.

Communication between computing system 301 and any other computingsystem may occur over a communication network or networks and inaccordance with various communication protocols, combinations ofprotocols, or variations thereof. Examples of such communicationnetworks include intranets, internets, the Internet, local areanetworks, wide area networks, wireless networks, wired networks, virtualnetworks, software defined networks, data center buses, computingbackplanes, or any other type of network, combination of network, and/orvariations thereof and other well known modes. Some communicationprotocols that may be used include, but are not limited to, the Internetprotocol (IP, IPv4, IPv6, etc.), the transfer control protocol (TCP),and the user datagram protocol (UDP), as well as any other suitablecommunication protocol, variation, or combination thereof.

In any of the aforementioned examples in which information is exchanged,the exchange of information may occur in accordance with any of avariety of protocols, including FTP (file transfer protocol), HTTP(hypertext transfer protocol), HTTPS (HTTP secure), SOAP (simply objectaccess protocol), REST (representational state transfer), WebSocket, DOM(Document Object Model), HTML (hypertext markup language), CSS(cascading style sheets), HTML5, XML (extensible markup language),JavaScript, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), and AJAX (AsynchronousJavaScript and XML), as well as any other suitable protocol, variation,or combination thereof.

FIG. 4A illustrates the operation of dynamic audio transducer control(e.g., muting, unmuting, volume adjustment) across personalcommunication nodes 402-406 and management system 420. Personalcommunication nodes 402-406 are examples of personal communication nodes102-106 and personal communication node 201; however personalcommunication nodes 401-406 may have alternative configurations andmethods of operation. Likewise, management system 420 is an example ofmanagement system 120; however management system 420 may have alterativeconfigurations and methods of operation.

In this non-limiting example the management system 420 receivesattribute information and bases audio transducer control commands issuedto various personal communication nodes 402-406 that are members of acommunication node group 408. Personal communication node 402 transfersattribute information (430) to management system 420, where theattribute information can comprise one or more attributes and/orattribute changes. Similarly, personal communication node 404 transfersattribute information (431) to management system 420 and personalcommunication node 406 transfers attribute information (432) tomanagement system 420. Management system 420 receives the attributeinformation from personal communication nodes 402-406, analyzes theattribute information, and, based on the attribute information, decidesto issue an audio transducer command to mute the audio transducers ofpersonal communication nodes 404 and 406.

Management system 420 transfers a muting command (audio transducercommand 433) to personal communication node 404 and transfers a mutingcommand (audio transducer command 434) to personal communication node406 (in some implementations commands 432 and 433 may be combined into asingle command issued to all affected personal communication nodes).Personal communication nodes 404 and 406 receive the muting command(s)from management 420 and responsively mute their respective audiotransducers as instructed. Personal communication node 402 then senses achange in one or more attributes and transfers associated attributeinformation (435) to management system 420. Personal communication node406 likewise senses a change in one or more attributes and transfers theassociated attribute information (436) to management system 420.Management system 420 receives the attribute information from personalcommunication nodes 402 and 406, analyzes the attribute information, anddetermines to mute the audio transducers of personal communication node402 and unmute the audio transducers of personal communication node 406.Management system 420 transfers a muting command (audio transducercommand 437) to personal communication node 402. Personal communicationnode 402 receives the muting command and responsively mutes its audiotransducers. Management system 420 sends an unmuting command (audiotransducer command 438) to personal communication node 406. Personalcommunication node 406 receives the unmuting command and responsivelyenables one or more audio transducers, in some implementations adjustingthe audio transducers to desirable operating levels depending upon theenvironment.

FIG. 4B provides another non-limiting example of dynamic audiotransducer control using the same basic attribute information scenarioas FIG. 4A. In the exemplary process of FIG. 4B, however, the personalcommunication nodes 402-406 are in direct communication with oneanother. This includes each personal communication node receivingattribute information from other personal communication nodes in thesame group 408 and determining whether audio transducer changes areappropriate. Moreover, the nodes 402-406 are configured to analyze andimpose audio transducer commands based on dynamic audio transducercontrols (e.g., via communication software executed in each node402-406).

In this non-limiting example the nodes 402-406 transmit attributeinformation to one another as well as the management system 420. Eachnode 402-406 can then base audio transducer control commands onattribute information shared among members of group 408. Personalcommunication node 402 transfers attribute information (440) to theother members of group 408 (and optionally to management system 420 toenable monitoring of status and other functions by the management system420), where the attribute information can comprise one or moreattributes and/or attribute changes. Similarly, personal communicationnode 404 transfers attribute information (441) to the other members ofgroup 408 (and optionally to management system 420) and personalcommunication node 406 transfers attribute information (442) to theother members of group 408 (and optionally to management system 420).One or more of nodes 402-406 receive the attribute information fromfellow group 408 members, analyze the attribute information, and, basedon the attribute information, decide to impose (e.g., throughself-imposition or direct communication with other group 408 membernodes) one or more audio transducer commands (443), for example mutingthe audio transducers of personal communication nodes 404 and 406, whichthen responsively mute their respective audio transducers as instructed.

Personal communication node 402 then senses a change in one or moreattributes and transfers associated attribute information (445) tofellow group 408 member nodes (and optionally to management system 420).Personal communication node 406 likewise senses a change in one or moreattributes and transfers the associated attribute information (446) tofellow group 408 members (and optionally to management system 420). Oneor more of the group 408 members receive the attribute information fromnodes 402 and 406, analyze the attribute information, and determine tomute the audio transducers of personal communication node 402 and unmutethe audio transducers of personal communication node 406. A mutingcommand (e.g., part of audio transducer command 447) is then imposed onpersonal communication node 402, which responsively mutes its audiotransducers. An unmuting command (e.g., part of audio transducer command447) is imposed on personal communication node 406, which responsivelyenables one or more audio transducers, in some implementations adjustingthe audio transducers to desirable operating levels depending upon theenvironment.

To provide a real-world example of operations similar to those describedin connection with FIG. 4A above, the end users of personalcommunication nodes 402-406 might comprise people having a meeting. Theend users of personal communication nodes 404 and 406 are in aconference room, while the end user of personal communication node 402is heading to the conference room. Personal communication node 402 sendsone or more attributes (430) to management system 420 indicating that itis not within audible range of personal communication nodes 404 and 406.Personal communication node 404 sends one or more attributes (431) tomanagement system 420 indicating that personal communication node 404 isnot within audible range of personal communication node 402, but iswithin audible range of personal communication node 406. Likewise,personal communication node 406 sends one or more attributes (432) tomanagement system 420 indicating that personal communication node 406 isnot within audible range of personal communication node 402 and iswithin audible range of personal communication node 404.

Management system 420 analyzes the attributes and determines to mute thespeakers of personal communication nodes 404 and 406. The microphones ofpersonal communication nodes 404 and 406 are not muted so that personalcommunication node 402 can receive audio from personal communicationnodes 404 and 406. Management system 420 sends a muting command (433) topersonal communication node 406 instructing it to mute the speaker.Likewise, management system 420 sends a muting command (434) to personalcommunication node 404 instructing it to mute the speaker. The end userof personal communication node 402 enters the conference room andpersonal communication node 402 sends one or more attributes (435) tomanagement system 420 indicating that personal communication node 402 iswithin audible range of personal communication node 404. At the sametime the end user of personal communication node 406 leaves theconference room and personal communication node 406 sends one or moreattributes (436) to management system 420 indicating that personalcommunication node 406 is no longer within audible range of personalcommunication nodes 402 and 404. Management system 420 receives theattributes, analyzes the attributes and sends a muting command (437) topersonal communication node 402 instructing it to mute the speaker.Personal communication node 402 receives the muting command andresponsively mutes the speaker, but not the microphone. Managementsystem 420 also sends an unmuting command (438) to personalcommunication node 406 instructing it to unmute the audio transducers.Personal communication node 406 receives the unmuting command andautomatically adjusts the audio transducers to desirable levels based onthe operating environment.

In other examples of the operations described above and illustrated inFIG. 4A, the end user of personal communication node 402 could be adesignated speaker giving a lecture. In this case personal communicationnode 402 may leave the audio transducers active so that the speaker ofpersonal communication node 402 can act to amplify the speaker's voice.The speakers of personal communication nodes 404 and 406 are off in thisexample, but the microphones remain on to capture the lecture. Also inthis example, the microphones may use echo cancellation, directionalitydetection and other features that may or may not be included in theavailable audio transducer controls for nodes 402-406.

FIG. 5 illustrates dynamic muting across personal communication nodes502-512 operating in secured and unsecured communication groups.Personal communication nodes 502-512 are examples of personalcommunication nodes 102-106, personal communication node 201 andpersonal communication nodes 402-406; however, personal communicationnodes 502-512 may have alternative configurations and methods ofoperation.

Personal communication nodes within a group may use secure communicationmethods. Secure communication methods include means by which users ofpersonal communication nodes may securely share information among eachother without third-party interception or monitoring of the informationor associated communications. Secure communication methods may comprisesymmetric key encryption, asymmetric key encryption, public-keyencryption, or some other type of encryption, including combinationsthereof. The actual communications between personal communication nodescan employ secure communication methods, and the associated links canemploy secure communication methods independently. Secure communicationgroup 550 comprises personal communication nodes 502-508 based at leastupon Attribute Set 1. Unsecure communication group 551 comprisespersonal communication nodes 506-512 based at least upon Attribute Set2. Personal communication nodes 506 and 508 belong to both securecommunication group 550 and unsecure communication group 551.

Personal communication nodes 502-508 are able to communicate withinsecure communication group 550. Personal communication nodes 506-512 areable to communicate within unsecure communication group 551. Personalcommunication nodes 506 and 508 are members of both secure communicationgroup 550 and unsecure communication group 551.

In one non-limiting example, if personal communication node 506 iscommunicating with other personal communication nodes within securecommunication group 550 and comes within audible range of one or morepersonal communication devices belonging to unsecure communication group551, then one or more audio transducers of personal communication node506 can be muted to prevent a member of unsecure communication group 551from hearing communication within secure communication group 550. Theaudio transducers are active when personal communication nodes 506 and508 are communicating within secure communication group 550, butunsecure communication group 551 does not receive communications frompersonal communication nodes 506-508 intended for secure communicationgroup 550 and vice-versa. This provides an example of software muting.The audio transducers are functioning, but a muting module withinsoftware (e.g., executed in each communication node and/or themanagement system) will prevent muted messages from being transferred topersonal communication nodes outside the group.

Alternatively, personal communication nodes 506 and 508 mayautomatically mute the speakers when connected to headphones or anearpiece, thereby keeping the communications of secure communicationsgroup 550 private. In such examples, use of a headphone/earpiece jack ona device that is part of a personal communication node can be part ofthe attribute information shared with a management system and/or othergroup member nodes.

In another example, personal communication nodes 502-508 mayautomatically enter into a secure communication mode when a headset orearpiece is connected and automatically enter into an unsecurecommunication mode when the headset or earpiece is disconnected. Also,the end users of personal communication nodes 502-508 within securecommunication group 550 might all use headsets or earpieces when theyare not in the same room, but when they do meet in the same roompersonal communication nodes 502-508 may turn the speakers on. If theend user of personal communication node 508 leaves the room, the speakermay automatically mute and only allow communications to be received viaa headset or earpiece.

In any of the aforementioned examples in which information is exchanged,the exchange of information may occur in accordance with any of avariety of protocols, including FTP (file transfer protocol), HTTP(hypertext transfer protocol), HTTPS (HTTP secure), SOAP (simply objectaccess protocol), REST (representational state transfer), WebSocket, DOM(Document Object Model), HTML (hypertext markup language), CSS(cascading style sheets), HTML5, XML (extensible markup language),JavaScript, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), and AJAX (AsynchronousJavaScript and XML), as well as any other suitable protocol, variation,or combination thereof.

While the Figures generally depict relatively few personal communicationnodes, management systems and attribute sets, it may be appreciated thatthe concepts disclosed herein may be applied at scale. For example, anygroup disclosed herein could be deployed in support of any number ofpersonal communication nodes.

The included descriptions and figures depict specific embodiments toteach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode. Forthe purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspectshave been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art willappreciate variations from these embodiments that fall within the scopeof the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that thefeatures described above may be combined in various ways to formmultiple embodiments. As a result, the invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments described above, but only by the claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a management system tomanage an audio transducer status of a secure communication node groupcomprising a plurality of communication nodes, wherein the plurality ofcommunication nodes comprises a first communication node, wherein thefirst communication node comprises one or more audio transducerscomprising a speaker, the method comprising: the management systemreceiving management attribute information comprising: firstcommunication node attribute information comprising first communicationnode secure group status information; second communication nodeattribute information comprising second communication node secure groupstatus information, wherein the second communication node is not one ofthe plurality of communication nodes; and proximity attributeinformation about proximity of the first and second communication nodes;the management system determining muting/unmuting settings for the firstcommunication node based on the received management attributeinformation; and transmitting a muting/unmuting command to the firstcommunication node based on the management attribute information.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the management attribute information furthercomprises information about the use of a headphone or earpiece jack inthe first communication node.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein firstcommunication node comprises two devices, wherein the two devicescomprise a wireless intermediate communication device and an end userdevice wirelessly linked to the intermediate communication device. 4.The method of claim 3 wherein the end user device comprises a wearablepersonal communication device wirelessly linked to the intermediatecommunication device, wherein the wearable personal communication devicecomprises the speaker.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the wirelessintermediate communication device comprises one of the following: asmartphone; a tablet device; a gaming device; or a laptop.
 6. The methodof claim 1 wherein the management attribute information furthercomprises changes in one or more first communication node attributes. 7.The method of claim 3 wherein the intermediate communication devicecomprises a computing system executing a communication softwareapplication.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofcommunication nodes use encryption to communicate with one another.
 9. Amethod of operating a first communication node controlled by amanagement system, the first communication node comprising a wirelessintermediate communication device and a wearable end user devicewirelessly linked to the intermediate communication device, wherein thewearable end user device comprises a speaker, and wherein a securecommunication group comprises the first communication node, the methodcomprising: the first communication node obtaining attributeinformation, wherein the attribute information comprises the following:proximity information concerning proximity of the first communicationnode to a second communication node, wherein the secure communicationgroup does not include the second communication node; and firstcommunication node secure group status information; the firstcommunication node transmitting the attribute information to themanagement system; the first communication node receiving a speakermuting command from the management system, wherein the speaker mutingcommand is based on the attribute information; and responsive to thereceived speaker muting command, the first communication node adjustingan audio transducer speaker setting of the first communication node. 10.The method of claim 9 wherein the attribute information furthercomprises information about the use of a headphone or earpiece jack inthe wearable end user device.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein thewireless intermediate communication device comprises one of thefollowing: a smartphone; a tablet device; a gaming device; or a laptop.12. The method of claim 9 wherein the attribute information furthercomprises changes in one or more first communication node attributes.13. The method of claim 9 wherein the intermediate communication devicecomprises a computing system executing a communication softwareapplication.
 14. A non-transitory computer readable storage mediumhaving stored thereon program instructions to manage a firstcommunication node in a secure communication node group comprising aplurality of communication nodes, wherein the plurality of communicationnodes comprises the first communication node, the program instructions,which when executed by one or more processors of a computing system,cause the computing system to: obtain management attribute informationcomprising: first communication node attribute information comprisingsecure group status information about the first communication node,wherein the first communication node comprises one or more audiotransducers comprising a speaker; second communication node attributeinformation comprising secure group status information about a secondcommunication node, wherein the second communication node is not one ofthe plurality of communication nodes; and attribute information aboutproximity of the first and second communication nodes; determine one ormore muting/unmuting settings for the first communication node, whereinthe one or more muting/unmuting settings is based on the receivedmanagement attribute information; and impose at least onemuting/unmuting setting command on the first communication node, whereinthe at least one muting/unmuting setting command is based on thereceived management attribute information and controls a muting statusof the speaker of the first communication node.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the firstcommunication node comprises a wireless intermediate communicationdevice and a wearable end user device wirelessly linked to theintermediate communication device, further wherein the wearable end userdevice comprises the speaker.
 16. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium of claim 15 wherein the wireless intermediatecommunication device comprises one of the following: a smartphone; atablet device; a gaming device; or a laptop.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the managementattribute information further comprises information about the use of aheadphone or earpiece jack in the wearable end user device.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein themanagement attribute information further comprises changes in one ormore first communication node attributes.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the firstcommunication node further comprises the computing system.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 wherein theintermediate communication device comprises the computing systemexecuting the non-transitory computer readable storage medium includinginstructions.